28 October 1903 is the date on a dulcimore made by James Edward "Uncle Ed" Thomas (1850-1933). According to Ralph Lee Smith it is the second oldest known Uncle Ed dulcimer and, "It is, by some nine years, the oldest Thomas yet found that has heart-shaped sound holes." A notable feature of this Thomas dulcimer is the figural carved scroll or pegbox. It is carved as an animal head, which appears to be a ram or a dog, with its tongue sticking out.

This dulcimer was owned by Prof. Josiah H. Combs (1886-1960), originally from Hazard, Kentucky and was given to him as a gift for being part of the first graduating class at Hindman Settlement School, Hindman, Kentucky. Combs became a well-known folklorist and folk music performer, touring in the U.S. and Europe with this dulcimer. Recordings of Combs playing this dulcimer are in the Folklife collections of the Smithsonian Institution. Combs gave this dulcimer to folklorist D.K. Wilgus, who kept the instrument until his death in the 1980s. Wilgus' widow donated the instrument to Berea College where it now resides.

I was fortunate to get to examine many fine dulcimers at the Appalachian Teaching Collection in the Loyal Jones Appalachian Center at Berea College. Being able to hold a dulcimer that Uncle Ed Thomas, and others, had held was awesome.